Journeying from Dry to Fertile PlacesThursday, November 2, 2023

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Scrolling through my inbox recently, I saw a message from Anthony Evans announcing the release of a new song. Anthony is a son of the Urban Alternative’s Dr. Tony Evans, and they lost their mom and wife more than four years ago. Anthony shared a contrast. He had prayed for his mom’s healing. After she died, it was heartbreaking to sing on stage about God’s faithfulness while overlooking the seat she once occupied. During that time, his dad reminded him that his feelings were real, but they didn’t have intellect and needed to be submitted to the Word. Dr. Evans urged his son to walk in the direction that he should go, knowing and understanding that his feelings would finally catch up to his feet. Anthony has pressed on in ministry, trusting that while writing songs, his feelings will indeed catch up.

I can identify with Anthony. (Actually for months, I virtually followed the Evans Family as they responded to Mrs. {Dr.} Evans’ passing and celebrated her legacy.) I understand how it feels to push through to complete a God-given mission during a dark, dry season. I know what it feels like, through the tears, the pain, the grief, and the sadness, to wait for my feelings to catch up. I appreciate how it feels to pray fervently for God’s Word to overpower my feelings and my circumstances.

PRAYER: Lord, in this dark, dry season, I need my feelings to catch up with what you’ve assigned me to do. I submit my feelings to the truth of your Word. I know for that to happen, I need to stay in your Word. Help me to eat it and drink it even when I don’t feel like it. Help the Word to be alive in every aspect of my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen